Patent Grant
10888873
This application claims priority to PCT/EP2017/056649, filed Mar. 21, 2017, and published in English on Sep. 28, 2017 as publication number WO 2017/162642, which claims priority to European Application No. 16162241.0, filed Mar. 24, 2016, incorporated herein by reference.
The present invention relates to a crushing device, especially a mobile crusher having for example a jaw, impact or cone crusher unit. Further, the invention is also applicable to mobile screens.
When crushing or grinding rock, ore, gravel, cement clinker, garbage and other materials, mobile, possibly self-propelled crushers may be used. There are different types of crusher units used in such mobile crushers; jaw crushers, impact crushers and cone crushers are some examples thereof. These types of mobile crushers are not exclusively used in remote uninhabited areas, sometimes they are used in urban areas where noise dampening and dust reduction are of high importance and therefore noise dampening and dust reducing measures are sometimes required. Typically, these mobile crushers functions as follows: Material, e.g. rocks, gravel, construction waste, garbage etc, to be treated by the mobile crusher is loaded to an upstream end of the crusher, the crusher's feed hopper. From there, the material is fed to the crusher unit, e.g. a jaw crusher or an impact crusher, where the material is disintegrated. If needed, parts of the material, often fine fractions that don't need to pass the crusher unit, can be directed directly from the feed hopper to a side conveyor that transports this material away. Material treated by the crusher unit is typically conveyed for further treatment, e.g. by a mobile screening unit, where similar problems occur since these devices, e.g. mobile screens also are rather noisy which especially in inhabited areas can be a problem. A known crushing device providing a certain extent of encapsulation is disclosed in JP-5053707.
It is an object of the invention to provide a mobile processing device which overcomes, or at least reduces, problems occurring in previously known solutions, and ensures a simple and reliable noise encapsulation which, in a closed position reduces the noise emitted to the environment and which, in an open position provides good access to the machinery for service and maintenance.
According to the invention, these and other objects are achieved, in full or at least in part, by a mobile processing device as disclosed. The mobile processing device comprises a material processing unit and a frame to which a pivotable noise encapsulation is attached.
Thus, in accordance with the present invention, there is provided a mobile processing device having a material processing unit, such as a mobile crusher having a crusher unit or a mobile screen having a material screening unit. The mobile processing device further comprises a power unit such as an internal combustion engine, an electric motor or any other suitable power plant for the mobile processing device. The mobile processing device comprises a frame and a noise encapsulation for the material processing unit. The noise encapsulation is attached to the frame of the mobile processing device and comprises two cover elements, each of which is pivotable between an open position, in which access to the machinery, e.g. the crusher unit or the screening unit, is provided, and a closed position where excellent noise dampening is ensured. The cover elements can be interconnected to create an encapsulation for the material processing unit having a roof and side walls. By providing two pivotable cover elements encapsulating the material processing unit, such as a crusher unit of a mobile crusher or a screening unit of a mobile screen, by providing side walls and roof it is possible achieve excellent noise dampening properties while still ensuring that the machinery, e.g. crusher unit of a mobile crusher, can be readily accessed for service and maintenance. Prior art noise dampening constructions all have the disadvantage that a large number of hatches or doors need to be removed, often even dismantled, in order to provide access to the machinery. The noise encapsulation according to the invention, on the other hand, provides excellent maintenance conditions for staff working on the machine and this despite the compact size of the encapsulation. Further, the fact that the noise encapsulation is attached to the frame of the mobile processing device makes it possible for the noise encapsulation to be transported together with the mobile processing device and no additional resources (e.g. lorries, train wagons etc) are required for its transportation to the work site. In comparison with solutions where the noise encapsulation need to be separately transported and subsequently assembled in situ, the solution according to the invention saves money and time. With the present invention, the mobile processing device can be unloaded from e.g. a lorry trailer and be up and running within the shortest time. This especially applies when the mobile processing device is of the self-propelled type, running e.g. on crawlers which makes it possible for the mobile processing device to reach a final working location independently. The noise level reduction obtained with the encapsulation is significant and especially in urban areas where the background noise level typically is elevated due to traffic noise and in many cases also other construction machinery (drilling machinery, excavators etc.) is operating at the construction site, the contribution of noise of a mobile processing device according to the invention is neglectable, or at least reduced to a large extent. Further, the noise encapsulation according to the present invention prevents or reduces dust emissions from the material processing unit and the discharge area. In addition to environmental benefits, this also extends lifetime of air filters, e.g. for the engine and other parts of the equipment.
According to this first aspect the mobile processing device is a mobile crusher having a crusher unit.
The mobile processing device comprises a crusher cavity cover element. A crusher cavity cover element covers the entrance into the crusher cavity and can provide protection against particles (rocks, gravel etc.) flying out of the crusher cavity and can also provide noise encapsulation against noise coming directly from the crusher cavity.
The crusher cavity cover element is further pivotable around a generally horizontal axis between an open position in which access is provided to the crusher cavity and a closed position. A pivotable solution enables quick access to the crusher cavity, for example in order to be able to remove oversize rocks or similar that are trapped in the crusher.
In one embodiment of the first aspect, the crusher cavity cover element comprises a sealing part which, when the crusher cavity cover element is pivoted towards the closed position, seals against the roof of the encapsulation. A sealing according to this embodiment ensures reliable and secure sealing of the crusher cavity cover element against the pivotable cover element. A good sealing is a requirement for achieving good noise dampening properties.
In one of the embodiments of this first aspect, the mobile processing device further comprises a material screening unit.
Also disclosed is a second aspect, in which the mobile material processing unit is a mobile screen having a material screening unit, with a power unit; a frame, and a noise encapsulation for the material processing unit; wherein the noise encapsulation comprises two cover elements, each of said cover elements being pivotable between an open position providing access to the material processing unit and a closed position wherein the cover elements can be interconnected to create an encapsulation for the material processing unit, said encapsulation having a roof and side walls.
In one of the embodiments of first or second aspect, the noise encapsulation comprises a sub-frame connected to the frame of the mobile processing device.
In one of the embodiments of first or second aspect, the sub-frame is connected to the frame of the mobile processing device either directly or via vibration dampening material. Both have their advantages and drawbacks. By providing vibration dampening material, vibration of the sub-frame and thus the noise encapsulation can be reduced. Vibration of the noise encapsulation will cause the noise encapsulation to emit noise itself, and should therefore be avoided. On the other hand, the provision of vibration dampening material will allow a certain play between adjacent parts, i.e. frame of the mobile processing device and the sub frame. If such play becomes too big, one risks the situation where the noise encapsulation comes into direct contact with e.g. a crusher unit of a mobile crusher. That would cause the noise encapsulation to behave more or less like a loudspeaker, which of course is highly unwanted. Since the material processing unit, e.g. a crusher unit typically is suspended in rubber brackets as well, the total available play should be considered to avoid that the noise encapsulation comes in contact with the noise emitting equipment, such as crusher unit or screening unit.
In one of the embodiments of first or second aspect, the two cover elements are hinged at respective vertical beams.
In one of the embodiments of first or second aspect, the vertical beams are parts of the sub-frame.
In one of the embodiments of first or second aspect, each of the cover elements comprises a sidewall and a roof part and wherein, in the closed position, the respective roof parts abut each other and can be interconnected by locking means.
In one of the embodiments of first or second aspect, each cover element has a height such that it covers the height of the material processing unit when the cover elements are in the closed position. By providing cover elements which in the closed position cover the entire height of the material processing unit it is possible to provide full access to the material processing unit when the cover elements are in the open position. The pivotable cover elements of the invention also give very quick, almost instant, access to the machinery since they need only be swung open and it is not necessary to dismantle several doors or hatches attached by bolting or similar time consuming means as is the case in prior art solutions.
In one of the embodiments of first or second aspect, the sealing part seals against an underside of the roof.
In one of the embodiments of first or second aspect, the cover elements are attached to a wider section of the sub-frame and wherein the sub-frame has a narrower section adjoining the wider section. This creates a sort of corner-shaped space adjoining both the wider and narrower sections in which space equipment can be arranged which do not necessarily add to the overall width of the mobile processing device.
In one of the embodiments of first or second aspect, parts of the sub-frame section are arranged generally in a same vertical plane as vertically adjacent parts of the frame of the mobile processing device.
In one of the embodiments of first or second aspect, parts of the sub-frame section and the vertically adjacent parts of the frame of the mobile processing device have corresponding shapes and are arranged abutting each other to create a continuous vertical surface. This makes it possible to use the frame of the mobile processing device and the sub-frame as encapsulation parts, both against noise and dust which reduces the requirement of additional encapsulation elements. The frame and the subframe as such can be used for encapsulation purposes and large frame blocks can both isolate the airborne noise and also be used for installation of acoustic materials such as absorption materials. This reduces the cost of the encapsulation significantly.
In one of the embodiments of first or second aspect, a working platform is arranged laterally and outside the narrower sub-frame section and rearwardly of the wider sub-frame section. A working platform is normally required and by the inventive solution of the present invention, it is possible to attach a platform outside of the noise encapsulation, i.e. it is now possible to both have noise encapsulation and an accessible working platform mounted at the same time.
In one of the embodiments of first or second aspect, a hydraulic hammer is attached to the frame of the mobile processing device and arranged laterally and outside the narrower sub-frame section and rearwardly of the wider sub-frame section. Especially in a mobile crusher, it is of utmost importance to have access to a hydraulic hammer, e.g. for clearing rocks or similar that have become jammed in the crusher cavity or in the feed hopper. With the solution of the present invention, it is possible to combine noise encapsulation with a hydraulic hammer arranged at a convenient position, close to the crusher unit such that the articulated arm of the hydraulic hammer does not need to be overly lengthy. Instead, by providing a narrower section in the encapsulation, the hydraulic hammer can be arranged at a same position as in mobile crushers lacking noise encapsulation. And in combination with the pivotable crusher cavity cover element, the hydraulic hammer has very quick access to the crusher cavity.
In one of the embodiments of first or second aspect, the hydraulic hammer and the working platform are arranged opposite each other.
In one of the embodiments of first or second aspect, the working platform is pivotably connected to the same vertical beam as an adjacent cover element. A pivotable arrangement of the working platform ensures good and quick access to the area behind the working platform.
In one of the embodiments of first or second aspect, the working platform can be pivoted between a closed position and an open position in which open position access is provided to areas behind the working platform and wherein the pivotal movement of the working platform and that of the adjacent cover element are independent of each other. Thereby it is achieved that full and simultaneous access, i.e. access to the areas behind the working platform and the area covered by the cover elements can be ensured.
In one of the embodiments of first or second aspect, the working platform comprises a door which, in the closed position seals against the sub-frame and/or the frame of the mobile processing device and which, when the working platform is in the open position, provides access to e.g. equipment arranged within the sub-frame and/or the frame of the mobile processing device. Thereby, instant access to the space within the frame and the sub-frame is provided by pivoting the working platform to its open position and instant closing of the space can be achieved by pivoting the working platform to its closed position.
In one of the embodiments of first or second aspect, no part of the noise encapsulation is in direct contact with the material processing unit. Thereby, it is avoided that the encapsulation itself acts as a noise emitter.
In one of the embodiments of first or second aspect, each of the cover elements can be pivoted at least 90° around the respective vertical beam. This ensures full access to the machinery.
In one of the embodiments of first or second aspect, the noise encapsulation can be transported together with the mobile processing device when mounted to the mobile processing device. The compact construction of the noise encapsulation of the present invention makes it possible to transport the mobile processing device with the encapsulation mounted. Prior art solutions sometimes require that the noise encapsulation is transported separately and mounted in situ. This is time consuming and expensive in comparison with the present invention.
In one of the embodiments of first or second aspect, the encapsulation comprises a front wall and the cover elements are arranged to seal with that front wall when the cover elements are in the closed position. This creates an encapsulation having a roof, side walls and a front wall.
In one of the embodiments of first or second aspect, the front wall is arranged between the crusher unit and the power unit. Thereby, it is avoided that the power unit, e.g. a diesel engine, is trapped within the encapsulation where heat and dust would have devastating effects on the power unit.
In one of the embodiments of first or second aspect, the mobile processing device further comprises bottom and rearward sealing to create a complete encapsulation of the material processing unit.
In one of the embodiments of first or second aspect, the encapsulation is made airproof. This is done by providing a complete encapsulation around the material processing unit, e.g. crusher unit or screening unit and using encapsulation elements without any openings. This is possible since there are no significant heat sources inside the encapsulation (e.g. power-unit, drive motors, pumps, etc.). This allows for optimal noise reduction using an encapsulation.
Other objectives, features and advantages of the present invention will appear from the following detailed disclosure, from the attached claims, as well as from the drawings. It is noted that the invention relates to all possible combinations of features.
Generally, all terms used in the claims are to be interpreted according to their ordinary meaning in the technical field, unless explicitly defined otherwise herein. All references to “a/an/the [element, device, component, means, step, etc.]” are to be interpreted openly as referring to at least one instance of said element, device, component, means, step, etc., unless explicitly stated otherwise. The steps of any method disclosed herein do not have to be performed in the exact order disclosed, unless explicitly stated. As used herein, the term “comprising” and variations of that term are not intended to exclude other additives, components, integers or steps.
The present invention will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which currently preferred embodiments of the invention are shown. The present invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided for thoroughness and completeness, and to fully convey the scope of the invention to the skilled addressee. Like reference characters refer to like elements throughout.
An advantage of the present invention is the fact that the encapsulation is very compact. The encapsulation does at no point add any additional width, height or length to the mobile processing device, or at least only to a very small degree. This means that the fact that an encapsulation is provided, does not imply any limitations as to when and where the mobile processing device can be deployed. Its construction also allows for the mobile processing device to be transported with the encapsulation in place, something that has not been possible with many prior art solutions requiring that the encapsulation be transported separately and mounted in situ.
The skilled person realizes that a number of modifications of the embodiments described herein are possible without departing from the scope of the invention, which is defined in the appended claims. For example, a mobile processing device according to the invention can instead of running on crawlers run on rails or on bars. Further, it should be noted that with respect to the present invention, the term “encapsulation” does not necessarily mean complete and total enclosing of e.g. the crusher unit. As used herein, the term “encapsulation” can mean both partial and complete enclosing as is apparent from the description, claims and figures. In any case, entrance and exit for the material are required. Acoustic damping materials and/or sound absorbing materials can be provided on the surfaces of the encapsulation, e.g. on the inside of cover elements 10, cavity cover element 14, frame 6 and elements 21 in order to improve noise dampening. The invention enables a compact solution of a noise encapsulation which can be widely opened for maintenance work and which is mounted only to the rigid section of the frame of the mobile processing device. The main idea is to combine wall and roof structures in two large hinged sections that are connected together during operation and opened like doors during the maintenance. The construction also allows a modular solution for different type and size of mobile processing devices. The encapsulation can be made more or less airproof and the small amount of heat that is produced within the encapsulation by e.g. the hydraulic motor driving the vibrating grizzly bars can be used to heat the bottom of the feeder, thus preventing freezing of material to the bottom when loading frozen material to the processing device. A further improvement, possible with the present invention is to integrate the belt cover and the flywheel cover of the crushing unit 2 into the cover elements 10. This provide even faster access to the machinery since they need not be removed in a separate stage.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 16162241 | Mar 2016 | EP | regional |
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/EP2017/056649 | 3/21/2017 | WO | 00 |
| Publishing Document | Publishing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| WO2017/162642 | 9/28/2017 | WO | A |
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| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20190105663 A1 | Apr 2019 | US |
